University of Cape Coast Journals
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Implementing quality education: The inevitability of a co-owned and contextbased conceptualisation as the best starting point
Get PDFThis conceptual article argues for a co-owned contextual interpretation of the concept of quality education to create communal familiarity, co-agency and coherent communication necessary for its institutionalisation. The article analysed education policy documents including the current 2018-2030 education strategic plan which provides a blueprint for the development of education. The analysis revealed that quality education is an important policy concept that enjoys rhetoric. The 2018-2030 education strategic plan canonises quality education for its potential to equip Ghanaians adequately to meet the needs of the twenty-first century. However, quality education has failed to receive context-based conceptualisation perhaps because of the complex nature of the phrase. Drawing from Wittgenstein’s (1953) warning against imprecise use of language, the article argues for a co-owned contextual interpretation of quality education to facilitate its successful implementation in Ghana. The article then shares how the Leadership for learning and the Singapore triad models of interpreting and applying policy concepts can benefit communal familiarity and application of policy concepts. The Ministry of Education should organise workshops for stakeholders to provide a co-owned interpretation of quality education, draw an action plan and educate the Ghanaian citizenry to understand and align their efforts towards its achievement
Students’ level of academic cognitive engagement in the learning of economics
Get PDFThis study examined students’ level of academic cognitive engagement in the learning of Economics. The study was a quantitative research that employed the descriptive cross-sectional survey design. In total, 422 Senior High School Economics students were selected for the study. The Academic Cognitive Engagement Scale (ACES) was used to gather data for the study. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (One-Way MANOVA) were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that Economics students’ level of academic cognitive engagement was high. Also, it was found that there were statistically significant differences in Economics students’ level of academic cognitive engagement based on their school location. In addition, the study showed that there were statistically significant differences in Economics students’ academic cognitive engagement based on school category. Therefore, it was recommended that teachers should continue to engage students in instructional activities that require students to use deep strategies. Additionally, teachers in rural schools should employ teaching strategies that would help students employ deep learning strategies in the learning of Economics. Lastly, in the organisation of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes and seminars for teachers on how to sustain and improve the cognitive engagement level of students, equal attention should be given to all the students in the various school categories. The practical implications of the findings are discussed in the study
THE NIGERIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM’S ABUSE OF CONFESSIONAL STATEMENTS: A CALL FOR JUDICIAL POLICY REFORM
Get PDFThe prosecution’s responsibility to prove the guilt of an accused person in Nigeria has, over the years, been watered down by the practice of the police extracting confessional statements from accused persons by extrajudicial means. The courts which are supposed to be the last hope of the common citizen or justice appear to be in synergy with the police in its interpretation and application of relevant provisions of statutes geared towards admissibility of coerced confessional statements. This article is a strident call for a reform of the judicial policy with regards to the admissibility of confessional statements in a manner which would clearly discourage the police from abusing the fundamental rights of accused persons in their bid to score a conviction on a coerced confessional statement. The paper adopted the doctrinal methodology by examining confessional statements in Nigeria through the Evidence Act 2011, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and relevant Judicial interpretation. Relevant legal articles and news reports online which deal with confessional statements in Nigeria and detail abuses of fundamental rights of accused persons were referenced to show documented and prevalent police abuses and violation of citizens’ rights. It concludes with recommendations
THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION: BETWEEN SYMBOLISM AND REALISM
Get PDFThe people are the reason government exists, hence, without any equivocation; the people are the principal while the government is a mere agent. This underscores the reason for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as altered) declaring that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through it derives all its powers and authority. In this paper, it is argued that, in practice, popular sovereignty termed as the consent, will, and participation of the people has no similarity with the exact popular will and participation expressed by the Constitution. The accentuation of this assertion is predicated on the notion of the general will of the people as reflected in the spirit of the Constitution. Thus, this paper aims at deconstructing the theoretical principle of popular sovereignty and its impact on Nigerian polity as well as investigating the relationship between it and the Constitution. While adopting the doctrinal approach, this paper found that the express mention of the people as the ultimate authority by the Constitution is a welcome idea, but this is nonetheless respected by the Government except perhaps during elections. To strengthen this provision, a full fledge autochthonous Constitution that reflects the will and aspirations of the various nationalities is recommended
A comparative study of the control of exclusion clauses in consumer contracts: Lessons for Ghana
Get PDFA lot of concerns have been raised over the use of exclusion clauses, especially in respect of transactions involving parties with unequal bargaining power since they are usually not voluntarily subscribed to by the weaker party, but rather imposed on him/her. The problem is compounded by the fact that everyone is a consumer one way or the other, and therefore at risk of the exploitative effects of exclusion clauses. The paper adopts a comparative research methodology in an attempt to evaluate both the judicial and legislative controls of exclusion clauses in consumer contracts under Ghanaian law, as well as those of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of South Africa. The paper reveals that the legislative and judicial controls of exclusion clauses under Ghanaian law are not robust, thereby creating the need for certain reforms to be introduced under Ghanaian law to effectively protect the consumer. The paper concludes by proffering recommendations for legislative interventions which can be introduced to better protect the Ghanaian consumer
Appraising the vexed question of absolute immunity on state executives under Nigerian law
Get PDFAbsolute immunity conferred on State Executives is covered by section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides immunity from trials in civil and criminal matters, except in electoral matters on the President and his Vice, the Governors of the States and their Deputies. The sole justification for this is that these State Executives should enjoy absolute immunity to enable them to perform official duties without distractions. However, recent conducts of some State Executives have rekindled the need to amend section 308 by depriving them immunity from criminal prosecution as practiced in the United States while still in office. In the long run, the author concludes by supporting this view absolutely
WARTIME SEXUAL VIOLENCE OFFENCES: QUEST TO UNRAVEL THE ASSOCIATED CONSEQUENCES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
Get PDFDespite increasing awareness and the huge condemnation of sexual violence during armed conflicts in the last decades, the bodies of women and girls continue to be regarded as spoils and bonus of war globally. Warring parties often engage the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence, as a tool to punish, terrorize and destroy targeted ethnic populations. In other instances, rebels and terrorist groups engage sexual violence as a weapon and strategy to advance their mundane objectives. the paper aims at examining the consequences and impact of wartime sexual violence on women, and men as well as the impact of such violence on their family and immediate society during armed conflicts. The paper finds that despite efforts made by the international community through the enactment of laws and resolutions in curtailing the scourge of sexual violence during wartime, rape and other forms of sexual violence are still being employed during armed conflict situations as weapon and tactics of war by soldiers and other armed groups. The paper relies on primary and secondary information such as International Conventions and Treaties, Books, Journal Articles, Judicial Precedents and Internet Materials. Flowing from the above, the paper concludes that the desired need to end sexual violence generated impunity is possible through sensitization and propaganda vide non-governmental organizations, accountability and coordinated enforcement through both domestic and international institutions. The paper further recommends that women and other victims of wartime violence who steps out to speak and report the crime of sexual violence committed against them should be protected and rewarded as this would lead to the massive reporting, arresting and prosecuting of perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence
PROTECTING CIVILIANS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: THE OBLIGATION TO RESPECT BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW
Get PDFRecords, as of 26th June 2022 show that at least 4,731 civilians have lost their lives, 5,900 civilians injured, more than 12.8 million civilians displaced, and many towns and cities leveled in the Russia-Ukraine war. This is a large-scale violation of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) that facilitate the protection of the civilian population. The situation raises serious concern for IHL against the backdrop that IHL exists to among other things protect the civilian population against the effects of armed conflicts. Adopting doctrinal methodology and the review of relevant literature, this paper examines the protection of the civilian population in the Russia-Ukraine war and the obligation of the parties in effecting this protection; with the view of making recommendations geared towards strengthening the protection of the civilian population. This paper identifies the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution as important means of ensuring human protection. It posits that these basic principles are being fragrantly violated in the Russia-Ukraine war. The paper argues that the protection of the civilian population is an obligation imposed on the parties to the Russia-Ukraine war under IHL. The paper further argues that this obligation can be discharged through respect for these basic principles. Thus, the extent to which the parties to the conflict respect these basic principles, determines the extent to which the civilian population will be protected in the said war
Introduction of history in the Ghana basic school curriculum: The missing link
Get PDFThis paper addresses the missing link in history education in the Basic School curriculum of Ghana. It examines post-colonial history education in Ghana and acknowledges the frantic efforts made by several authors to help introduce history into the Basic School curriculum. The paper maintains that while introducing history as a core subject at the Primary School level is widely accepted, the neglect of the same at the Junior High School (JHS.) level presents a missing link in history education in Ghana. Many history educators and academics have firmly debated this missing link, particularly historians in the media. The paper discusses the missing link and argues for the introduction of history at the Junior High School (JHS.) level within the context of the episodic memory theory. The paper insists that teaching history at the JHS level provides a crucial link between Primary School history and Senior High School history, which is a leveraging platform for studying history at the tertiary level. It also suggests that teaching history at the JHS level allows students to internalise values such as patriotism, moral values, solidarity, tolerance, national consciousness, etc., which are required social elements for nation-building. It concludes that incorporating history into the JHS curriculum would ensure continuity in the study of history from the Primary School level to the tertiary level and give more meaning to the rationale behind the introduction of history at the Basic School level
Analysis of Ghana’s SMES industrial policy approach: Call for a new beginning
Get PDFSince the launch of Ghana’s Industrial Policy (GIP) in 2011, it has not received the needed backing for implementation. This has created a challenge for industrial efficiency for the economy of Ghana. Based on the implementation gaps identified in the policy, it is argued that Ghana can absolve itself from neoliberal economic dictates if it focuses on a new industrial policy approach that galvanises the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector. The objective of this paper is to review the GIP and to identify the gaps in its implementation and implications for SMEs’ growth in Ghana. Using the doctrinal research method, secondary data sources were analysed. The study revealed that the GIP comes in as a key development paradigm with private sector collaborations, yet its potentials have not been harnessed as expected. The paper concludes that, for a paradigm shift, it is rewarding to give greater attention to the manufacturing department of the SMEs with the view of developing a useful industrial policy regime